The Meeting
Hiking to Point Buchon
the ground is dry and brown.
A coyote watches me—
he blends into the brush;
bronze legs highlight tawny fur.
My eyes look into his eyes
and though he’s my first,
I recognize him and review
his reputation: attacks dogs,
eats cats and stalks children.
As we appraise each other
my excitement fades to fear,
yet when he turns away,
I miss the gift of his presence
and he leaves me wild to be wild.
A Storm Brews
Wind wears cowboy boots—
leaves line-dance the street,
trees rustle and I rush out,
let Wind rough me up
and then, I run for shelter
to watch this outlaw
blow through town.
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Uluru/Ayres Rock
Contemplating Uluru, a red-orange mesa
in the Australian desert, Aborigines said
ancestral spirits fought and over bloodshed,
the earth rose up in grief.
Now, buses jam Ayres Rock at sunset,
a monolith tailgate party: champagne pours
as the sun somersaults the summit—
the earth rises up in grief.
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